The first tales relating windmills come from the Arabic world. The design of wheels laid on a tower's summit appeared as early as year 650. However, the windmill as we know it today appeared in Europe only after 1180.
Up until the beginning of the XXth century, these windmills were used to grind cereals and to pump water. In order to store up as much energy as necessary, wings had to be large, placed up high and connected to a swivelling structure that would direct them in the wind's direction.